Enabling SafePass

Before you can begin using SafePass, you need to activate the service through Bank of America's Online Banking interface. Select "Add SafePass Security to My Account" from the customer service tab. Provide your cell phone number or order a SafePass card. Once you have enabled SafePass, you will not be able to perform some transactions online without access to your SafePass card or mobile phone.

SafePass Authorization

Each time you perform a transaction that requires SafePass notification through the Online Banking interface, Bank of America will generate a unique six digit code and send it to you as a text message at the cell phone number that you provided. A pop-up dialog on the Online Banking page will request the six digit code. After entering the code correctly, you can continue your transaction. If you have a SafePass card instead of a mobile phone, simply press a button on the SafePass card to generate a new SafePass code and enter the code in the "Card" section of the pop-up window.

Covered Transactions

By default, SafePass authorization is required whenever you attempt to add information or change information about your bill pay recipients. You also need to perform a SafePass authorization whenever you make a transfer that is larger than your account's total transfer limit. Optionally, you can use SafePass to sign into Online Banking instead of answering identity verification questions on the SiteKey page.

Compatible Devices

Bank of America sends SafePass' six-digit keys in the form of SMS messages. Any mobile phone that supports SMS messaging will work with SafePass. You can also purchase a SafePass card from Bank of America to use in place of a mobile phone. Bank of America charges a one time fee for a SafePass card, which at the time of publication was $19.99. Using the service with a mobile phone is free.

About the Author

David Weinberg began writing in 2005 at New College of Florida, composing articles on history and political science for publication within the school and for online circulation. Weinberg has been a professional outdoor educator for more than five years with experience throughout the United States.

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